Patients’ families left untested

Health officials in port city are showing apathy towards collecting samples of family members of Covid-19 positive persons by going to their residences even after they are developing coronavirus-like symptoms, alleged family members.

Health officials, however, said it is no longer possible for them to collect samples door-to-door as they are facing severe manpower and logistical crisis and family members should go to nearest hospitals to have them tested.

Arif Hossain, a resident of West Bakolia, whose father died on May 4 from coronavirus, told The Daily Star that after his father's death officials of Chattogram civil surgeon's office assured them that they will be tested.

"Seven members of my family developed symptoms after my father died. Days went by but they did not show up in spite of our repeated phone calls. All we got is an assurance that they are coming," he said.

"Only after my younger brother resorted to Facebook to share our agony, they sent an ambulance to take us to hospital, five days into my father's death," said Arif.

Saiful Islam, a journalist who got infected on May 12, shared a Facebook post urging to have his family members tested as the officials did not collect their samples even after 48 hours of him testing positive.

Many family members of coronavirus patients said once a person gets affected, an area or building is locked down and as a result, family members are unable to go outside. In such a case, health officials must come and collect their samples.

Contacted, Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, civil surgeon of Chattogram, said it was not possible to go to every one's home as coronavirus is in the community transmission phase.

"We are suffering from manpower crisis and have only one ambulance," he said. In such a case, people should immediately go to nearby hospitals to have them tested, he added.

Dr Hasan Shahriar Kabir, director (Chattogram division) of Directorate General of Health Services, said they were trying to set up seven sample collection booths to expedite the process. "We have discussed the issue with Chattogram City Corporation and Brac. Within a week we will be able to launch the initiative," he said yesterday.

Dr Sushanto Kumar, member secretary of Janasasthaya Rokkha Committee, said not testing family members of a Covid-19 positive patient could result in a catastrophe.

"If such laxity and apathy prevails at primary level, how will we be handle the grave danger ahead? Such negligence will intensify the risk. The authorities must step up their effort in this regard," he stressed.

Meanwhile, samples are getting piled up at Bangladesh Institute of Tropical Infectious Disease due to its inadequate manpower.

Prof Dr Shakeel Ahmed, in-charge of BITID laboratory, said they have at least 1,200 samples piled up so far. "We receive samples from 10 districts. Noakhali started testing on their own a few days back. If the other districts gradually start testing at their labs, it will help ease the pressure," he added.